Graham's new garden spot

Published: Tuesday, February 25, 2014 at 05:25 PM.

GRAHAM — A new sculpture garden is featured in a space surrounded by the Graham Public Library, Alamance County Arts Council and Children’s Museum of Alamance County.

A community collaboration made the garden a reality last month, and more work is set to continue to enhance it in the coming months.

“We are pleased and appreciative to have completed the first phase of this extensive project with assistance from the New Leaf Society,” Alamance County Arts Council Executive Director Cary Worthy said. “Together with New Leaf and the city of Graham, the Alamance Arts Council looks forward to creating a public space that will be a living model for collaborative efforts of this kind.”

The New Leaf Society completed a landscaping project at the garden last month, spending $12,000 to spruce up the site by placing shrubs and other plants. The Alamance County Arts Council acquired several sculptures to be placed at the site and will add more in the future.

Worthy said art at the site will include interactive sculptures for children to enjoy. Some of the sculptures will focus on music, and others will be designed to allow children to climb and explore. Four benches will be added to the site as well.

Kelly May, New Leaf Society co-chair of the technical committee, said Worthy developed the overall plan for the sculpture garden. Graham officials provided oversight for the garden’s installation and will be responsible for annual maintenance.

“The city of Graham, owner of the property, currently provides maintenance and will provide for any perpetual maintenance,” Graham City Manager Frankie Maness said. “We have existing agreements where we maintain the grounds for the Library, Arts Council, Fallen Hero’s Memorial and the Children’s Museum.”

GRAHAM — A new sculpture garden is featured in a space surrounded by the Graham Public Library, Alamance County Arts Council and Children’s Museum of Alamance County.

A community collaboration made the garden a reality last month, and more work is set to continue to enhance it in the coming months.

“We are pleased and appreciative to have completed the first phase of this extensive project with assistance from the New Leaf Society,” Alamance County Arts Council Executive Director Cary Worthy said. “Together with New Leaf and the city of Graham, the Alamance Arts Council looks forward to creating a public space that will be a living model for collaborative efforts of this kind.”

The New Leaf Society completed a landscaping project at the garden last month, spending $12,000 to spruce up the site by placing shrubs and other plants. The Alamance County Arts Council acquired several sculptures to be placed at the site and will add more in the future.

Worthy said art at the site will include interactive sculptures for children to enjoy. Some of the sculptures will focus on music, and others will be designed to allow children to climb and explore. Four benches will be added to the site as well.

Kelly May, New Leaf Society co-chair of the technical committee, said Worthy developed the overall plan for the sculpture garden. Graham officials provided oversight for the garden’s installation and will be responsible for annual maintenance.

“The city of Graham, owner of the property, currently provides maintenance and will provide for any perpetual maintenance,” Graham City Manager Frankie Maness said. “We have existing agreements where we maintain the grounds for the Library, Arts Council, Fallen Hero’s Memorial and the Children’s Museum.”

Maness said he believed the new sculpture garden will enhance and strengthen the area that connects the library, arts council and children’s museum.

New Leaf Society president Rett Davis said the new sculpture garden proved to be a beautiful project that includes a fountain, a gift from Graham from the Sister Cities organization.